Dividers are a valuable tool in woodworking, used in various tasks.
- Layout: to enable the marking out of precise measurements on workpieces.
- Stepping off distances: dividing a line or space into equal segments
- Comparing gaps and openings: ensuring consistency across multiple parts.
- Creating intricate designs and patterns, i.e. an octagon on the end of a square blank
- Transfer layouts from one part to another ensure identical construction.
Different types of dividers exist
- Spring dividers that have an adjustable tension feature to allow precise measurements
- Wing dividers (compasses) for durable, locked, and stable settings, hardened sharp points that can pierce wood perfect for scribing and marking measurements.
- Firm-joint dividers have a solid joint for stability when making adjustments, these are faster to set and very useful for quick measures.
Understanding how to use dividers effectively will take your craftsmanship to a high level, increase accuracy, save time, and elevate the quality of your work.
